Down Under, It's a Breeze

Australia's Murraylands houseboat added to local vacation fleet

RIVERBREEZ houseboat, based at Mannum, is the latest Murraylands accommodation to be awarded AAA Tourism's elusive five star quality rating.

Riverbreez joins Simply the Best houseboat and the River Dream Boatel in setting the benchmarks for luxury accommodation in the Murraylands.

The Murraylands can justly claim to offer accommodation for all tastes and budgets, encompassing literally everything from riverside camping to true opulence.

Quality accommodation is increasing in the region, which boasts the multi-award winning Unforgettable Houseboats and the recently-opened Baseby House, both at Mannum, and the purpose-built Rustic Peddler Cottage, on the riverbank at Tailem Bend.

This surge in quality accommodation adds an extra dimension to Murraylands holidays.

Holidays on the River Murray, including camping, cruising on houseboats or staying in riverside shacks, have long featured in the fond memories of South Australians. The variety of options now available, including motels, country pubs and farm-stays, ensures that generations of vacationers will continue to return to the river time and again to relax and recharge.

According to BoatUS, a new survey by Boating Industry magazine found that people who manufacture, sell, repair and store recreational vessels are noting an increasing number of issues due to ethanol-related fuels.

When it comes to recreational boating, we love our access to federal waters. But with problems like lack of funds for ramp/dock maintenance, aging marina infrastructure, and even government will, there can be obstacles to this access.

As National Marine Manufacturers Association president Thom Dammrich put it when addressing groups throughout the industry, “All this economic news is a green light for good times in recreational boating.”

West Marine and Monomoy Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity fund, just announced a definitive merger agreement under which a wholly owned affiliate of Monomoy will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of West Marine at $12.9